With PM Modi, 19 CMs In Attendance, Fadnavis To Take Oath As Maharashtra CM On Vinayak Chaturthi
The past days have been a political roller coaster in Maharashtra with the BJP keen to push Fadnavis as the CM and Eknath Shinde secluding himself before finally relenting to accept the BJP face.
After more than a week of political stalemate, the path for a BJP Chief Minister in Maharashtra is now clear, with party leader Devendra Fadnavis set to be sworn in as the new Chief Minister on Thursday.
Fadnavis will take oath as the Maharashtra Chief Minister for the third time at a grand ceremony on December 5 at 5:30 pm in Azad Maidan in Mumbai. The grand ceremony will be attended by top leaders including Prime Minister Narendra Modi. The oath-taking on December 5 comes on the auspicious day of Vinayak Chaturthi. The day holds special significance in Maharashtra, where Lord Ganesha is celebrated with great devotion.
The past ten days have been a political roller coaster in Maharashtra with the BJP keen to push Fadnavis as the CM face and Eknath Shinde getting 'upset' over the demotion, secluding himself in Thane before finally relenting to accept Fadnavis as the Mahayuti leader.
ALSO READ | Shinde Teases Ajit Pawar At Mahayuti Presser: 'Dada Experienced In Taking Both Morning, Evening Oaths'
Finally, after days of intense negotiations, BJP legislature party leader Devendra Fadnavis is set to be sworn in as the new Chief Minister of Maharashtra. In addition to Fadnavis, two deputy chief ministers, including NCP leader Ajit Pawar, will also take their oaths during the event in south Mumbai.
Apart from PM Modi, nine to ten Union ministers, and 19 chief ministers and deputy chief ministers will attend the ceremony. Special arrangements have been made to accommodate 40,000 BJP supporters and a separate seating arrangement made for 2,000 VVIPs, including leaders from various religions. More than 4,000 police personnel have been deployed for security during the swearing-in ceremony.
Sources have said that Eknath Shinde will take oath as deputy chief minister tomorrow, however, uncertainty remains over his induction in the new government.
Responding to the question of his swearing-in as Deputy CM, Shinde said, "Wait till evening... The oath ceremony is tomorrow (Thursday)."
#WATCH | Mumbai: When asked if he and NCP chief Ajit Pawar will also take oath as Deputy CMs tomorrow, Shiv Sena chief Eknath Shinde says, "Wait till evening..."
— ANI (@ANI) December 4, 2024
Replying to Shinde, NCP chief Ajit Pawar says, "Sham tak unka samaj aayega, I will take it (oath), I will not wait."… pic.twitter.com/ZPfgg6Knco
Fadnavis Triumphs With BJP At Helm
54-year-old Devendra Fadnavis emerged as the frontrunner for the coveted post following the BJP's strong showing in the recent assembly elections, securing 132 seats in the 288-member house.
Fadnavis, along with Shinde and Pawar, met with state Governor CP Radhakrishnan on Wednesday to formally stake claim to form the government, presenting letters of support from coalition partners, including the Shiv Sena and the NCP. Following the meeting, the governor extended an invitation for Fadnavis to lead the new government.
ALSO READ | From Nagpur Councillor To Third Stint As Maharashtra CM — Devendra Fadnavis' Rise Through BJP Ranks
This is for the third time that Fadnavis, an MLA from Nagpur, will be sworn-in as chief minister of Maharashtra. Fadnavis expressed his hope for Shinde's participation, stating he had requested that Shinde join the government.
Uncertainty Over Shinde?
Shinde has indicated that updates on his role would be provided to the media later on Wednesday. In a bid to reassure Shinde, Fadnavis told reporters after meeting the Governor, "The Chief Minister's post is a technical arrangement. All three of us will work together unitedly."
Shinde had been staying in Thane citing health issues, which had fuelled speculation about potential discord within the Mahayuti alliance. However, he returned to Mumbai on Tuesday, indicating a possible resolution to the concerns surrounding his role in the new government.
At the legislature party meeting held in Vidhan Bhawan earlier in the day, former Gujarat CM and BJP’s central observer Vijay Rupani announced that Fadnavis has been unanimously elected the BJP legislature party leader.
Earlier in the day, the speculation over the CM face evded at the Vidhan Bhawan meeting, where senior state BJP leader Chandrakant Patil proposed the name of Fadnavis as the legislature party leader.
Speaking to reporters at Raj Bhavan, Fadnavis said, “I met Eknath Shinde yesterday and told him that it is the wish of both the Shiv Sena and Mahayuti members that he should be with us in this government. I have full faith that he will be with us.”
Meanwhile, Shinde said that over two years ago, Fadnavis had recommended his name for the CM's post, now the Shiv Sena has recommended Fadnavis for the CM's post.
"I am happy that at this place around two and a half years ago, Fadnavis had recommended my name that I should become the CM. Now, we have given a letter of recommendation from Shiv Sena for Fadnavis to become CM. This government is being formed in a healthy atmosphere. I congratulate Devendra ji and wish him the best,” Shinde said.
The BJP achieved a landslide victory in the November 20 assembly polls in Maharashtra, securing 132 out of the 288 seats in its best performance in the state so far. The Mahayuti alliance, with constituent parties having Shiv Sena and NCP, got a majority in 230 seats.
For the oath-taking, at least 3,500 police personnel and 520 officers have been deployed for security arrangements. A platoon of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), and Quick Response Team (QRT), Riots Control Team, Delta, Combat teams and the Bomb Detection and Disposal Squad have also been deployed.
Security arrangements have also been made considering the traffic congestion on roads leading to Azad Maidan, and 280 personnel of the traffic wing, including senior police officials, will ensure smooth vehicular movement.
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